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Geography is Darjeeling’s history

A unique combination of climate, soil and location gives Darjeeling tea its exclusive character. That’s why it was registered as the First GI product from India under the Geographical Indication of Goods Act.

Darjeeling

Our exquisite bouquet known as Darjeeling Darjeeling tea gets its exclusive character and legendary muscatel flavour from a unique combination of climate, soil and location. It is because of this distinction that the word ‘Darjeeling’ and the logo were registered as the first GI product from India under the Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act 1999.

Happy Valley Tea Estate is nestled in the Himalayas at an altitude of 6,400 feet. The fresh mountain air, the dreamy mists, the clear spring water and the warm, cheerful sun unite to infuse Happy Valley tea with its unique flavour. Read More

The seasons influence the flavours of our teas. The first flush in spring is harvested from late February to mid-April. The young leaves yield a light tea tinged with Muscatel. The second flush or summer tea, is harvested in late May and early June before the onset of the monsoon. These teas are darker and milder in taste than the first flush, though true to the original Muscatel character. The autumnal flush is harvested in mid October and early November, producing a tea with a gentle flavour. After the autumnal flush is harvested, the tea bushes stay dormant during the winter snows till February.

Plucking begins mid-March and closes end November. The fresh leaves are withered to remove the excess moisture. The leaves are rolled to release the sap which gives the tea its unique flavour. The tea is dried at a temperature of 220˚F to retain only 2–3% of its moisture.Read Less

Happy Valley Teas

The Happy Valley Range of Organic Darjeeling TeasOrganic practices have been implemented to produce teas infused with the vitality of nature. All our agricultural activities are chemical free and aligned to the rhythms of nature, in order to nurture the bushes with the goodness of the elements.

History

Queen of the Hills The history of Darjeeling starts in the early 1800s, when the British East India Company negotiated a lease of the area from the kings of Sikkim. Darjeeling was chosen for its unique therapeutic qualities, suitable for convalescence of ailing officers and their families. It also had climatic condition resembling that which was found in parts of the British Isles. The town's elite residents were the British ruling class who visited Darjeeling every summer. An increasing number of well-to-do Indian residents also began visiting Darjeeling. The town continued to grow as a tourist destination and eventually was named the Queen of the Hills.

GI Protection

Darjeeling Tea is globally recognised as the Queen of Teas and is the flag bearer of The Indian Tea Industry Due to its flavour and quality, the tea is also referred to as The Champagne of Teas. Local factors such as soil, climate, latitude and the meandering mist endow the tea with its unique characteristics, which cannot be replicated in tea from anywhere else in the world.

On 15 October 2009, there was a major breakthrough for the Darjeeling tea industry. Following two years of negotiations by the Tea Board of India, the European Commission approved and published an application of registration under EU510/2006 for Darjeeling tea to attain GI status.Read More

In practical terms, this means that Darjeeling GI is formally protected by EU legislation and European national governments have a legal obligation to observe and enforce protection of the authenticity of Darjeeling tea sold in Europe.

Darjeeling Tea can only be grown in the 87 Scheduled Tea Estates within the GI defined area.

The GI Protection recognises and enhances the exclusivity of Darjeeling Tea, protecting its international status much like Swiss Chocolates, Scotch Whisky, Havana Cigars or Champagne Wine.Read Less

Tea Production

Darjeeling vs World Since Darjeeling Tea is a limited edition tea and is produced only in 87 Tea Estates, an areaof roughly 17,500 Hectares, the annual production of Darjeeling Tea is around 9.79 million kg. That accounts for less than 1% of India’s annual tea production and less than 0.23% of global tea production. Read More

Darjeeling Tea is a Luxury Brand and thus has an invaluable Global Brand Equity.

The major countries importing Darjeeling Tea are Germany, Japan, the UK, the USA and other EU countries such as the Netherlands and France. About 65–70% of Darjeeling Tea is exported as per the Tea Board of India.Read Less

Of the total tea produced globally, 23% is Green Tea and 77% is Black Tea. India is the largest producer of Black Tea.

India accounts for about 14% of world tea exports.

India and China together consume about 44% of the world’s tea.

More than 38% of all tea produced is exported. EU, Egypt, Russia, UK, Pakistan and the USA account for 44% of all tea imports.

Trivia

35

It takes 35 two leaves and a bud to make a cup of tea.

50

A tea bush can grow to a height of 50 ft, however they are routinely pruned and kept at a lower height for ease of plucking.

300

One tea bush has 300 plucking points.

15000

A hectare of land can hold about 15,000 tea bushes.

‘If a man has no tea in him, he is incapable
of understanding truth and beauty.’